SCOUTING YESTERDAY | French send thanks to Huron for help after World War II

This week in South Dakota history: Feb. 13-20

Merci Train ‘40 et 8’ boxcar arrives in Washington D.C.. Photo: Wikimedia

Over a thousand Huronians were on hand for the arrival of the French Merci Train 75 years ago, according to The Daily Plainsman. A boxcar from the train was presented to the state of South Dakota on Feb. 15, 1949, by French Consul General Jean Joseph Viala.

The Merci Train came in response to the Friendship Train, which the United States had previously donated to its French brethren after the German occupation of World War II stripped France of resources and forced the European nation to rely on foreign aid.

Prompted by a letter-to-the-editor, U.S. newspaper columnist and radio personality Drew Pearson started a food drive for the wartorn country. According to The Daily Plainsman, the drive soared beyond expectations and more than 700 freight cars were filled with donated food from across the U.S.

South Dakotans made a variety of contributions to the Friendship Train, ranging in size from railcars of wheat and canned meat to individual items donated on boxcars placed throughout the state. The cars were then shipped off to meet up with the route of the Friendship Train, which arrived in New York on Nov. 18, 1947, before being shipped to France.

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